The Suns were hot, in the cold of Minneapolis where Karl-Anthony Towns celebrated his 26th birthday with a performance of 35 points and 13 rebounds.
But Chris Paul spoiled the party in the last quarter by entering 19 of his 21 points and Devin Booker (29), icy in the last seconds, allowed the finalist of last season to win on the wire (99 -96).
Too bad for the Timberwolves who may regret a lack of realism in favorable situations, like the ultimate action where, after two offensive rebounds, D'Angelo Russell (22 pts) missed his attempt behind the arc.
Phoenix will receive Dallas on Wednesday, which follows it in 3rd place after its victory (111-101) over Denver (4th).
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A collective effort rewarded the Mavs, led by nine points at the break and kept afloat by Kristaps Porzingis (29 pts, 11 rebounds) and Luka Doncic (23 pts, 11 assists, 8 rebounds) who twisted his left ankle 44 seconds from the end. And it was Tim Hardaway Jr who made the difference in the money-time by scoring 13 of his 19 points. Nuggets side, Nikola Jokic held his rank of MVP (35 pts, 16 rebounds, 6 assists), but he lacked offensive support, in the absence of Jamal Murray (knee) and Michael Porter Jr (back). In the East, the Wizards (10-3) struggled to clinch a 5th success in a row against New Orleans (105-100), which melted 19 units in advance, notably conceding a fatal 14-0 in the money-time.
In the absence of Bradley Beal (family mourning), Spencer Dinwiddie sounded the revolt in the second half during which he scored 19 of his 27 points. “
We never want to be without Brad. No one wants to be without their best player. But the fact that we can face the difficulties is great,
”commented coach Wes Unseld Jr, who could not have dreamed of a better start at the helm. We must indeed go back to the 1974-75 season and the era of the Bullets, to find such flattering results after thirteen matches (11-2) in Washington.
Just behind, alongside Brooklyn, is Chicago (10-4) who gave the Lakers (121-103) a basketball lesson next to their pumps, in the absence of LeBron James.
As a symbol, Anthony Davis (20 pts) found a way to be excluded in the 3rd quarter, for having reproached the referees for not having stopped the game, while he was trying ... to put a shoe back on.
The meeting was anyway folded, the Bulls regaling (55.2% success on shots) under the leadership of DeMar DeRozan, excellent under new colors (38 pts, 6 assists), impeccably relayed by the formidable Lonzo Ball behind the arc (7/10, 27 pts, 8 assists) and Zach LaVine (26 pts).
Miami took advantage of Cleveland's loss at home against Boston (98-92) to regain 4th place, also thanks to its success in Oklahoma City (103-90), doing without Jimmy Butler nor Bam Adebayo, but with Tyler Herro (26 pts).
Finally, New York (6th) returned to victory, against Indiana (92-84), after two defeats.
The Knicks made their defense speak in the last quarter, limiting the Pacers to 10 points and 21% success on shots.
Evan Fournier was discreet (7 pts, 3 assists, 3 rebounds).
